Oakland Voices received a $15,000 grant from the East Bay Fund for Artist to support correspondents create original stories about arts and culture in the Town.
‘Art is a vital tool’
The funds, awarded by the East Bay Community Foundation, go primarily to the three artists: Dera R. Williams, Kristal Raheem, and Tanna Samone.
Each week, through December, the three correspondents will share original feature stories rooted in their personal interests and lived experiences. They highlight intergenerational activism, the intersections of health and art, and LGBTQ belonging and identity.
The East Bay Fund for Artists is proud to support these visionaries whose creative expressions help us imagine new landscapes, rewrite narratives, liberate unrealized potential, recover old wisdoms, and spark radical hope.
“Art is a vital tool for survival, healing, and resistance,” said Debrah Giles, senior program director at the East Bay Community Foundation. “Even more, art and the people who create these works build community resilience and power, and they give voice, agency, and visibility to communities most harmed by oppression. The East Bay Fund for Artists is proud to support these visionaries whose creative expressions help us imagine new landscapes, rewrite narratives, liberate unrealized potential, recover old wisdoms, and spark radical hope.”
Three artists, three approaches
Dera R. Williams writes about the experiences of the “Panther Cubs,” children of members of the Black Panther Party. Through interviews and photographs, Williams explores how being raised by Black Panthers has shaped their lives. “It is my mission as a storyteller to document and amplify the diverse voices of my community,” she said. Overall, Williams hopes her storytelling documents Oakland history and educates newer residents about the contributions of earlier generations.
Kristal Raheem writes about health, healing, and art. Raheem draws on her personal experiences with trauma and resilience. “Art forms, communal spaces, and good food have always been tools I use to nourish my heart and replenish my soul,” she said. She hopes her work inspires long-term connections that can strengthen health initiatives.
Tanna Samone highlights queer Oakland’s comedy scene by interviewing comedians, producers, and event organizers. “Living in Oakland most of my life informs my work because I’ve experienced it at various stages in its timeline and my own,” Samone said. Her goal is to foster pride in Oakland’s creative community and highlight the ways comedy reflects the Town’s culture.
The three correspondents met monthly this year to share ideas and support one another’s projects. Their collaboration builds on their experiences in the Community Journalism Academy. Oakland Voices trains and supports community members to tell untold stories about Oakland. Samone and Williams completed the Academy in 2023, Raheem in 2022.
Funding arts and culture journalism
The East Bay Fund for Artists, launched in 2003, supports artists and organizations throughout the sunny side of the Bay. This year, EBFA awarded grants to 12 individual artists and 10 organizations.
The funding of the “Changing Lives, Changing Narratives,” grant highlights the importance of investing directly in arts and culture and community artists–100% of the funds Oakland Voices received will go directly to the artists. The artists will be paid for their stories and their participation at an in-person showcase on October 25.
Currently, Oakland Voices does not have funding for arts and culture journalism. To support Oakland Voices expand our arts and culture coverage, donate today.
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